Power-driven washing machine governed by a master control



Sept. 1, 1953 Filed Nov. 24, 1947 H. HARVEY 2,650,489 POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GOVERNED BY A MASTER CONTROL ll Sheets-Sheet l was fw I V 4.

INVENTOB MM fly we/ Sept. 1.1953 H. HARVE Y 2,650,489 POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GOVERNED BY A MASTER CONTROL Filed Nov. 24, 1947 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 INVE/VWE QTTUEA/f Sept. 1, 1953 2,650,489

H. HARVEY POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GOVERNED BY A MASTER CONTROL Filed Nov.- 24, 1947 11 sneet s-sheet a INVENTOE Sept. 1. 1953 HARVEY 2,650,489

' H. POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GOVERNED BY A MASTER CONTROL Filed Nov. 24, 1947 l1 Sheets-Sheet 4 ICOO || 20 I MIKE/V702 1 77' 7' GENE V Sept. 1, 1953 H. HARVEY 2,650,489 POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GOVERNED BY A MASTER CONTROL Filed Nov. 24, 1947 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 K INVENTOE HTTO/QNEV Sept. 1, 1953 R E 2,650,439

POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GOVERNED BY A 'MASTER CONTROL Filed NOV. 24, 194'? 11 Shets-Sheet e II/III/IIIIIIII/IIIII/Il V wvavrbe 55/ fit 2 I L18 H. HARVEY POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GQVERNED Sept. 1, 1953 BY A MASTER CONTROL ll Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 24, 194'? lNi/avroe BY v Sept. 1. 1953 H. HARVEY POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GQVERNED BY A MASTER CONTROL Filed Nov. 24, 1947 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 SSI ' lNVENTOE FITTQENEV Sept. 1, 1953 HARVEY 2,650,489

POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GOVERNED BY A'MASTER CONTROL Filed Nov. 24, 194'? 11 Sheets-Sheet 9' I \11/ sec "570 V 3B5 MM HTTGENEV Sept. 1, 1953 H. HARVEY 2,650,489

POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GOVERNED BY A MASTER CONTROL Filed Nov. 24, 1947 11 Sheet-Sheet 10 (/VVENTOE' prime/V65 Sept 1.1953

Filed Nov. 24, 1947 H.HARV Y POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GOVERNED BY A MASTER CONTROL 11 Sheets-Sheet ll 'wyEA/me Patented Sept. 1, 1953 POWER-DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE GOVERNED BY A IVIASTER CONTROL Herbert Harvey, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Robot Laundry Machinery Corporation of California, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application November 24, 1947, Serial No. 787,830

17 Claims.

This invention had to do with a power driven washing machine governed by a master control and it is a general object of the invention to provide various improvements in the controls,

the construction and the arrangement of parts, in

a. machine of this general character.

This invention is concerned with that type of Washing machine wherein clothes or other objects to be washed are placed in a barrel carried within a tank, and wherein the operation of the barrel,

the supply and discharge of water, and the handling of materials such as soaps, bleaches, etc.

are governed by a master control so that the machine operates through a full cycle during which the tank may be supplied with different quantities of water at different temperatures and with different materials therein, and for different time intervals, all to the end that a complete and satisfactory Washing operation is carried out without care of attention upon the part of the operator.

In the type of machine with which I am concerned the water used is received from two sources, a hot water supply and a cold water supply. The materials such as soaps, bleaches, etc. to be used are in individual containers that discharge such materials into a mixing tank where the water is mixed with the materials prebeing registerable with those of the tank to provide the necessary access to the barrel so that clothes can be placed in or removed from the barrel.

A general object of my present invention is to provide a control for the water supply to such a machine which control involves means governing the quantity of water supplied and serves to fully open or fully close the valves governing the hot and cold water, and further includes thermally controlled means determining the temperature of water and modifying the action of the first mentioned means and individually opening and closing the hot and cold water valves in response to a thermostat.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the general character referred to wherein elements such as the hot and cold water valves are hydraulically operated through electrical controls responsive to a single or common master control which is preset so that the machine has a predetermined action or cycle of operation.

Another general object of the invention is to provide a machine of the general character referred to wherein the temperature of the water introduced into the washing tank is maintained in the desired manner through the introduction of steam into the tank, the introduction of the steam being governed by the master control.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the general. character referred to which is simple, convenient, and safe to operate. With the construction that I have provided the master control provides for operation of the machine through the desired cycle and the control system is such that steam or water cannot enter the washing tank at a time when the closures of the tank and barrel within the tank are open.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine embodying the present invention showing it in condition for operation. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1 with some portions broken away to illustrate parts of the machine. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the master control, being an enlarged view taken substantially as indicated by line 33 on Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an enlarged end elevation of the machine being an enlarged View taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the machine taken substantially as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 1. Fig. 61 is a view showing the upper portion of Fig. 4 with portions broken away toillustrate parts of the machine and showing a material container or bucket in a position to have dumped or deposited material into the mixing tank. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken'through the central portion of the machine to illustrate the mountings by which the barrel is carried within the tank, being a view taken in the direction indicated by line 1'! on Fig. 5, with parts broken line 2525 on Fig. 23.

is an enlarged sectional view of the water mixer being a View taken as indicated by line 99 on Fig. 4. Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the steam control, being a view taken as indicated by line l0l0 on Fig. 4. Fig. 1]. is a detailed sectional view of a portion of the water quantity control, being a view taken substantially as indicated by line ll-l l on Fig. 4. Fig. 12 is a view showing a portion of the water distributing pipe employed in the mixing tank being a view taken as indicated by line |2-i2 on Fig. 5. Fig. 13 is a detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line l3-I3 on Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is an enlarged detailed sectional View illustrating a part of the electrical control for a material carrier or bucket, being an enlarged view taken as indicated by line M-li on Fig. 5. Fig. 15 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 15-45 on Fig. 14, showing the control operated to release a bucket. Fig. 16 is a perspective View showing a fragmentary portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 15, showing the shape in which this portion is formed before assembly. Fig. 1'7 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken at the point where steam is introduced into the tank, being an enlarged view taken as indicated by line ll-ll' on Fig. 1. Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line i8l3 on Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is an enlarged detailed view illustrating another part of the quantity control. a plan section of parts shown in Fig. 19, being a view taken as indicated by line 20-20 on Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a plan view taken substantially as indicated by line 2i2l on Fig. 19. Fig. 22 is a View similar to Fig. 19 showing a part of. the temperature control. Fig. 23 is a plan section taken as indicated by line 23--23 on Fig. 22. Fig. 24 is a detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 24-42 3 on Fig. 22. Fig. 25 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken as indicated by Fig. 26 is a View taken as indicated by line 2626 on Fig. 25. Fig. 27 is a view similar to Figs. 19 and 22 illustrating a part of the steam control. Fig. 28 is a View taken as indicated by line 26-28 on Fig. 2'7. Fig. 29 is I an enlarged detailed transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 2929 on Fig. 27. Fig. 30 is a sectional View taken as indicated by line 3330 on Fig. 28. Fig. 31 is a diagrammatic view showing the general relationship of the principal elements and showing the electrical circuit employed in carrying out the present invention, and Fig. 32 is a view showing in detail a portion of the circuit illustrated in Fig. 31.

In describing the structure embodying my invention I will proceed, first, to describe the general or basic elements of the washing machine, and will follow with a description of the controls that I provide.

The machine in the form illustrated throughout the drawings involves, generally, a main tank A that may be referred to as the washing tank, a mounting or support B for the tank A, a mixing chamber C located above tank A and preferably carried by support B, a fluid connection D between the outlet of the mixing chamber and the inlet of the washing tank, a washing drum or barrel E within the washing tank,'mounting means F rotatably supporting the barrel within the tank, a drive G for the barrel, supply lines handling material or fluids used in the machine including a hot water supply line H, a cold water supply'line J, and -a steam supply line K, a plurality of individually operable material containers or dispensers L, a

water mixer or blender M receiving water from Fig. 20 iS 4 the" lines H and J, a distributor N located in chamber C and handling water received from the mixer M, and various other elements more or less identified with those mentioned.

The main tank or washing tank is a stationary cylindrical structure in which the washing operation occurs and it is preferably horizontally disposed. In the case illustrated the tank A is shown as including a horizontally disposed cylindrical body l0 and ends II and I2 fixed to and closing the ends of the body. The body is characterized by one or more access openings 13, an inlet opening M, and an outlet opening l5.

The access opening or openings, as the case may be, are preferably located at the upper forward portion of the machine where they are convenient to the operator. In the particular case illustrated the body I0 is provided with two like access openings l3 arranged side by side or in horizontal alignment. A closure I6 is provided for each access opening i3 and in the case illustrated the closures are shown as arcuate platelike elements conforming in contour to the body H] and slidably carried in suitable guideways i! on the body. In the drawings, for instance in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings, the closures is are shown in the closed or down position and'they are shown equipped with handles I8 by which they can be readily operated to an up or open position when desired.

The inlet opening I4 is preferably located in the upper portion of the body ID that is above the level that liquid ever stands in the body, and in the preferred arrangement it is located at the upper rear portion of the machine as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The outlet opening i5 is located at the bottom of the body, preferably midway between the ends of the body and as shown in the drawings it is preferably a large opening serving to drain the body very rapidly.

The mounting or support B provided in the structure may be any suitable frame-like construction that will adequately and suitably support elements such as the tank A and chamber C. In the case illustrated the support B is shown as including a base frame 19 with uprights 20 at its ends joined to the end portions of the tank A. This frame construction may, if desired, be stiffened as by one or more suitable stiffening elements 2|. The particular support construction illustrated involves top extensions 20 of the uprights 20 which extensions project above the tank 10 to carry the chamber C and beams 22 that carry the prime mover of the drive G.

The mixing chamber C is preferably'a flat or shallow open-topped container of substantial capacity located immediately above the tank A. In the form illustrated the container C has vertical walls including a front wall 23, a back wall 24, and end walls 25. The chamber has an inclined or pitched flat bottom 26 that extends downwardly and rearwardly from the front wall 23 to the back wall 24. The mixing chamber is provided with an outlet opening 21 of such size and so located as to rapidly drain fluid from the mixing chamber into the tank A through the fluid connection D. Where the mixing chamber is formed and located as above described the outlet opening 21 is located in the bottom 26 adjacent the back wall 24.

The fluid connection D is preferably a simple tubular fitting coupling the mixing chamber C with the tank A so that the outlet opening of the mixing chamber is in communication with the inlet opening of the tank. With the arrangement that I have provided the connection Dmay be formed by a simple elbow-like fitting as clearly illustrated in Fig.5 of the drawings.

The washing drum or barrel E is located with in the tank A and is the carrier for theclothes or other objects to be washed. In the case illustrated the barrel is an elongate cylindrical structure closed at its ends and is characterized by a cylindrical perforate body portion 28 and end plates 29 fixed to and closing the ends of the body. The barrel has one or more access open- ,ings 38 which openings are preferably located in the body 28 and correspond in number and arrangement with the access openings of the washing tank. In the case illustrated there are two access openings 38 and each is provided with a closure 3| supported by suitable guides 32 so that they can beoperated into and out of position ,where they close the openings 38, as shown in Fig. of the drawings. To efiect desired agitation of material or objects within thebarrel E the barrel is provided with a plurality of tumbler ribs 33 which ribs are preferably suitably rounded so that they will not injure delicate objects or materials and are of such shape and proportion as to effect the desired agitation.

There is a unit of means F at each end of the barrel E serving to rotatably support the barrel in the washing tank. The units of means F are coaxial and concentric with the axis of the tank and barrel as shown throughout the drawings. Each unit of the means F is shown including a trunnion 34 fixed or secured to an end 29 of the barrel and a bearing 35 suitably supported by an end of the tank A and rotatably supporting the trunnion. In the case illustrated the trunnion 34 is connected a by a flange connection 36 to a reinforcing spider 31 in turn fixed to the end 29 of the barrel. The spider 2'Imay be a strong rigi-d element suitably fixed to a light or thin end 29 as shown in FigJ'? of the'drawings.

The bearing 35 is preferably an anti-friction bearing, say a roller bearing, and may be carried by a bracket secured to amend of the tank. The bracket construction illustrated involves an annular plate 38 fixed or made fast to the end of the tank, arms 39 projecting from the outer side of the plate, and an annular bearing housing 40 carried by the arms at a point spaced from the plate. The particular housing illustrated is shown as a sectional structure having a bore 4| carrying bearing 35 and a shoulder 42 against which the bearing is seated and a clamp section 43 secured to the main section and retaining the bearing in operating position.

. A fluid seal isincorporated in the structure just referred to by providing a packing carrying opening .44 in the plate 38 surrounding the trunnion and by providing a packing follower 45 around the trunnion to compress the packing. In

, the drawings suitable screw operators 46 are shown provided for operating the follower.

The two units of means F are preferably alike in form and construction except that the unit attached to end l2 of the tank A involves a bearing housing with an end closure 4? whereas the unit carried by the end H of the tank has a bearing housing with an end opening 48 passing a trunnion extension 49.

The drive G for the barrel E preferably involves a prime mover such as a motor 50 and a suitable drive from the motor 56 to the barrel. In the case illustrated the motor 56 is located at the upper rear portion of the machine above the mixing chamber where it is I suitably supported on the beams 22 carried by extensions 20 of the support B. It is preferred to drive the .barrel through one of the support trunnions above described and therefore the trunnion supported from the end I I of the tank is provided with the extension 49. The particular drive illustrated is a chain drive involving sprockets 5| and 52 on the motor shaft 53 and trunnion extension 49, respectively. A chain 54 connects the sprockets and a suitable housing 54' preferably encases the entire drive.

The supply lines H, J and K may, in practice, enter the machine at any suitable point. However, it is desirable as shown in the drawings that they enter the machine at one end, as for 'instance at the end remote from the drive just described. The water lines H and J are shown entering the machine from the rear along with a pressure supply line P used as will be hereinafter described to supply actuating pressure for certain of the control elements.

Material containers L are independently operable containers preferably in the form of dump buckets 55 located to empty or dump into the open topped mixing chamber C. In the preferred arrangement the dump buckets are located in a line or series above the upper forward portion of the mixing chamber C. Each dump bucket'55 is shown provided with mounting trunnions 56 carried by brackets 51 projecting from the upper edge of the front wall 23 of the mixing chamber. The trunnions 56 are so located that the buckets 55 are overbalanced and tend to empty when in the normal or upright position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, making it necessary to provide means for releasably retaining them :in the upright positions. For this purpose each dump bucket is provided with a releasable control or latch 58 serving to normally releasably hold the bucket upright. When the latch is released the bucket falls by gravity to a position such as is shown in Fig. 6, causing the material in the bucket to spill or empty into th mixing chamber,

Each latch 58 involves, generally, a lug 485 projecting from the bucket 55 and a retractable element or bolt 466 slidably carried by the frame B of the machines and operated by the solenoid I31 hereinafter described. The bolt 406 is slidably carried in a bracket 401 and is connected to the driving element of the solenoidl31 as by a cotter pin 408 or the like. A spring 489 normally holds the bolt 486 extended or in position where it engages the lug 485 to hold the bucket 55 upright. In practice I provide a water tight housing. 410 that encloses the solenoid I37 and its related working parts. I have shown bracket 481 secured to a flat plate-like part Zi of the frame B. The solenoid I3; is carried by the bracket, beneath the plate, and the bolt is carried by the bracket to extend through an opening 4i l in the plate to proj eet above the plate. A suitable closure 4l2 formed of rubber or the like houses the solenoid I31. The closure has a continuous flange 4l3 secured to the bracket 48"! by a clamp 4. As shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings the flange 413 is provided with a channel 4l5 opening to the interior of the closure at its inner end and having a thin flexible wall 416 defining its outer end. The channel-accommodates the electrical conductors necessary for operating the solenoid I31 and the wall 4 it forms a seal around the conductors. When clamp 414 is, drawn into place as by screws M1 the entire flange is com-- pressed thereby sealing around the bracket and the conductors.

I" have provided water tight bellows 4 l8 enclosing the bolt; 4,06- and spring: M9. The bellows is formed of rubber orthe like and extends.- be;- tween the; outer end of the bolt, where it is preferably moldedtheretolto the plate All of the frame where it. is secured. by a clamp M9. The clamp is: drawn into. place by the screws 4H and a s a flange 42% at the base of the bellows. The flange 42B is. or substantial. thickness and when compressed by the clamp it seals against the plate and also against the bracket within the opening 41Ijl thereby completely sealing the latch parts. from outside dampness.

The. water mixerM servesto blend the hot and cold: water introduced into the machine: through the supply lines H and J; and: it discharges into a flow line 59 that extends to. the mixing chamber- The. mixer, as shown. in the drawings, involves: a cylindrical chest M closed at its lower end and in communication. with the flow line 59 at its upper end. The water supply lines- H and J-connect into the: end portions; of the-chest and v a baflle tube; BI. is. provided in the chest sothat water entering. the chest from.- the supply lines must, flow through the bafile in order to reach the flowline 59, The bafile tube til; extends be tween the ends of the chest and. hasperforations orflow passages: 52 in. its middle portion or re mote-from the: points where water-impinges on it from. the flow lines. As a result of this arrangementwatei: entering. the chest (it from the flow lines must, now toward the center of the chest and. since. the. flow lines. enter the end portions of the-chest the-hot and coldwater flows in opposite directions; toward. the center. of the chest where the hot and cold water mingles and flows through the perforations 6 2 to pass out of the mixer through the baffle tube at into. the flow line 53-.

The flow line 5.51- is shown. as including averti cal section. or riser 63: extending upwardly from the. mixer M to; a pointjust above the top of the mixing chamber C. A delivery section 65 off the. flow. line is coupled to the upper end of the riser 63, bya head 6 3s, and, extends downward and forwardfrom the head to the forward lower corner of the mixing; chamber where it couples to the distributor N.

The distributor N provided-inthe. mixing; chamberv C is preferably located, within the chamber at the corner formed between the front; wall; 2.3 and the bottom 26; The distributor. may bea simple elongate tubular element receiving water at one end from the delivery section: 54- of the flowline and closed at its other endby a suit-- able closure 65. The tubular distributor thus located. in the mixing. chamber is provided at suitable intervals along its length with. nozzlelike discharge openingsSB so formed and. located as todirect water from the distributor across the bottom 26 of the mixing chamber toward the rear wall 24 thereof. In the preferred form of construction shown in the drawings the desired nozzle openings 66 are provided in the distributor by establishing longitudinal cuts in the distributor and then deflecting portions 6T of the distributor wall inwardly adjacent the cuts to establish openings, as clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings.

The controls that I haveprovided" for or in the machine involve control elementsofvarious characters or types governing the action of the working parts or of the mediums involved. so that such mediums are governed. or regulated: as to temperature, quantity,,timing and with refer;- ence to the general mechanical operation. of the 8 essentialworking elements herein-above. described. The control elements may for simplicity of. con.- sideration be.- generally classified as those primarily mechanical, those primarily hydraulic, those. primarily thermal, and those primarily electrical. In making such segregation main or primary control valves, although handling fluids, are: considered: mechanical rather than: hydraulic. 'IEhe main or' principal. mechanical elements of controla involve ahot water valve 68, a cold water valve: 69*, an inlet valve 10 in the fluid connection D, a. dump valve Hr controlling the outlet opening [:5 of the. wash tank, and a. steam valve 12.

The hot. water valve 68: may be any suitable form or type of quick acting valve effective to handle the hot water supplied to the machine through the supply line H and it controls. introduction of hot water into the machine. The cold water valve 69 may be like the hot Water valve, exceptthat it isin the cold water line J and controls the' introduction of cold water into the machine;' The inlet valve 10 controls flow of fluid from the mixing chamber C to the wash tank A and as shown in the drawingsit may be-a suitable quick acting or poppet type valve, located at the point of connection between the mixing chamber and: the fluid connection D and provided with an operating stem 13. The dump valve H may be a suitable quick acting or poppet type valve located at and operable to open and close the'opening l5 at' the bottom of the tank A. The steam valve 1 2 may be a simple valve inthe steam line K, Where it enters the'machine, operable to control introduction of steam into the machine.

The main or principal hydraulic control elements are an actuator T4 for the hot water valve 68,. an actuator 15 forthe cold watervalve 69, an actuator T6 for the inlet valve 10', an actuator 17 forthe dump valve TI, an actuator 18 for the steam valve 72'', and. an actuator 19' operatively coupled with a stopswitch 80, the function and operation of. which will be hereinafter described. The actuator .74 for. the hot. water valve 68 may involve primarily, av diaphragm. type actuating. device 8 operatively coupled to the valve 58,.and a. pilot valve. 82 controlling. the action. of the: device 8 l:.. I In the; preferred arrangement operatin pressurefor the actuator 14 issupplied through. a pressure-connection 83' communicating pressurefrom. the hotwater'supply line'I-I to the pilot: valve 82.. The actuator includes a fluid connection 84 from thepilot valve 82 to the diaphragm actuator; 8.1;. The pilot: valve 82: is such that it may be operated. to: admit fluid under pressure: from connection 83 to connection 84 at which time the device 8| operates to open'the valve 68% A drain 85 is provided on the pilot valve- 82 for conducting expended fluid to a drain pipe 85.

The 'actuator'l-s for the cold water valve 69 may involve primarily a diaphragm type actuating device 8'8" or' thelike operatively" coupled to the valve 69'and a pilotval've 8.9.icontrolling. theactuating device 88'. In the preferred arrangement operatingpressure for the actuator T5'is supplied through. a. pressure connection fliiii communicating pressure from the cold water supply 1 to the pilot, valve: 89-.- The; actuator includes. a. fluid connection Qt from. the. pilot valve. 89 tothe diae phrag-m actuator 88. The. pilot. valve 89 is such thatit' may: beoper-ated to admit: fluid under pressureirom" the. connection.- 90-to connection 9i at-whichtime thedevicetB operates to openthe valve: 68;. A. drain 92 is providedv on.- the pilot valve 89 for conducting expended fluid to the drain pipe 86.

The actuator I6 for the inlet valve I may include a diaphragm type operator 93 suitably connected withthe stem I3 of the valve I0 and a pilot valve 94 controlling the action of the operator 93. The diaphragm type actuator or operator 93 is shown mounted above the mixing chamber and involves an operating rod 95 coupled to a diaphragm 96. The rod 95 is operatively coupled to the stem I3 of the valve I0 by a link 91 having one end pivoted to a fixed bracket 98 while the other end is pivotally connected to the upper end of stem I3. The arrangement is such that when the diaphragm 96 is moved upwardly the stem I3 is lifted opening valve I0. The pilot valve 94 is coupled with the supply line P by a suitable connection 99 while a connection I00 communicates pressure from the pilot valve 94 to a chamber IOI adjacent the diaphragm 96. The pilot valve 94 is such that it can be operated to a position where pressure from supply line P is communicated to connection I00 through the pilot valve. The pilot valve has a drain line I02 conducting expended fluid to the drain pipe 86.

The actuator I1 for the dump valve is shown as involving a cylinder and piston operator I03 operatively coupled with the dump valve II and a pilot valve I04 controlling the action of the operator I03. The particular dump valve and actuator therefor that I have illustrated in the drawings are the subject of Patent No. 2,382,562, entitled Drain Valve for Washing Machines And The Like, issued August 14, 1945. Operating pressure is communicated to the pilot valve I 04 from the supply line P by a pressure connection I05 and a suitable connection I06 connects the pilot valve I04 with the operating device I03. The pilot valve is such that it can be operated to a position as shown in the diagram where pressure from line P is supplied to the device I03. A drain connection I01 extends from the pilot valve I04 to handle expended fluid and conducts it to the drain pipe 86.

The actuator I8 for the steam valve I2 is shown as including a diaphragm type operator I09 operatively coupled with the valve I2 and a pilot valve I I0 controlling the pressure of the device I09. The diaphragm device I09 is shown directly engaging the stem I I I of the valve I2 and the diaphragm I I2 of the device I09 is normally held in a released position by a spring II3. A pressure connection II4 connects the pilot valve IIII with the supply line Panda suitable connection II5 connects the pilot valve I I0 with the diaphragm device I09. The pilot valve is such that it can be operated to a position where pressure from line P is communicated to the device I09 above the diaphragm II2 to depress the diaphragm and thus open the valve I2. A drain I I 6 extends from the pilot valve IIO to the drain pipe 86.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that I have shown constructions such as to utilize pressure from the hot and cold supply lines H and J to actuate the diaphragm devices that operate the hot and cold valves, Whereas I use a separate source of fluid pressure, that is supplied through the line P, to operate the pilot valves 94, I04 and I II]. It will be apparent that a single source of operating pressure might be employed. However, since the valves 68 and 69 are large, heavy-duty valves requiring high pressure for satisfactory operation, and since the lines H and J preferably supply water at substantial pressure, it is preferred to use that pressure for the operation of these valves. The elements controlled by the pilot valves 94, I04 and H0 do not require high operating pressure or any substantial volume and consequently it is most practical to employ a separate source of operating pressure for these elements and this source may be at a pressure considerably lower than that handled by the valves 58 and 59.

The actuator I9 for the switch is primarily in the form or nature of a float device, responsive to the liquid level in the mixing chamber C. The particular form of actuator illustrated in the drawings involves a float I I I located in the mixing chamber C and carried on the arm N8 of a lever pivotally mounted at II9. Arm I20 of this lever is coupled to a rod I2I that extends to the general vicinity of the switch 80 Where it is coupled to a rocker I22, on a pivotal mounting I23.

The electrical control elements control current from a suitable power supply as, for instance, a power circuit carried by lines I30 and I 3I, and include, generally, a plurality of. electromagnetic devices or solenoids. In the form of the invention illustrated the electrical control elements includes an operating solenoid I32 for the pilot valve 82 related to the hot Water valve 68, a solenoid I33 for the pilot valve 89 related to the cold water valve 69, a solenoid I34 for the pilot valve 94 related to the inlet valve I0, a solenoid I35 for the pilot valve H0 related to the steam valve I2, and a solenoid I 36 for the pilot valve I04 related to the dump valve II. The electrical control elements further include a solenoid I3I for operating each latch 58 controlling a dump bucket 55. The electrical controls further involve electrical control units or mechanisms X, Y and Z, the control X being for the solenoids I32 and I33 and controlling them in unison, the control Y being for the solenoids I32 and I33 and controlling them separately, and the control Z being for the solenoid I35.

A further basic control element primarily electrical is the master control Q related to and dominating the action of all of the above-mentioned electrical control elements. A further electrical control element R is a power control controlling energization of the motor 50 as well as the drive of the master control Q.

It is preferred that the electrical system be such that certain elements operate on high voltage while others operate on low voltage. For example it is desirable that the motor 50 be operated by high voltage whereas the various other elements hereinabove referred to may advantageously operate under low voltage. In view of the desirability of both high and low voltage in the electrical system leads I40 are taken from the power lines I30, I3I and I32 carryin high voltage and enter the power control R. A transformer MI is energized by the power lines I30 and I3I to energize the low voltage circuit of the system. One lead or line I42 from the transformer I 4| may be considered as carrying one side of the low voltage circuit and enters the master control Q. The other line I43 carrying the low voltage circuit enters the power control R. which is interposed between the transformer and various elements of the electrical system including a lead or line I44 which may be said to carry the other side of the low voltage circuit. The electrical system has been diagrammed in Figs. 31 and 32 to indicate the principal electrical elements connected as far as possible be 11 tween the'leads =I 42 and I 44 carrying the two sides of the low voltage circuit.

The power control B involves, generally, a re versing switch I50 controlling motor 50 and handling the current supplied by the high voltage lines I40. An actuator I5I is provided for the reversing switch which may, in practice, be a motor driven reversing or switching mechanism normally in operation when the machine is operating and serving to intermittently operate the reversing switch 150 so that the motor M intermittently operates in opposite directions. The power control B further includes a master or primary .switch 152 controlling the line I43 to a selector switch I53 included in the power control.

The selector switch controls primarily the connection between line M3 and the lead I44 to which numerous elements of the electrical system are connected The selector switch or switching mechanism may include a plurality of switches such as the switches I55 I55 55, I55 I55 and I55 as indicated in Fig.32. These switches are under control of the single operating element I55 which element is movable into five different positions which may be termed, an on position I55, an ofi position I51, a nonreversing position I59, a forward position I59 and a reverse position I50. Assuming the primary switch I52 to be closed, the entire machine is out of operation when the control element I55 is in the off position shown in Fig. 31, except that it may be operated by an adjusting control that will be hereinafter described. When control I55 is in the off position all switches of switch I53 are open. When the control I55 is in the on position the machine is fully energized and switches I55 I55 I55 and I55 are closed thereby opcrating motor I 9I of control Q, the motor of the actuator I5} for the reversing switch, operating element I54 of a brake I65 releasing motor 50 and closing the circuit to line I44. When the control element I55 is in the nonreversing position switches I55 and I55 are closed energizing the circuit carried by lines I63 which supply the electrical operating element I64 of the brake I55 and energizing the reversing switch I50 so that the motor 50 operates in one direction only. The brake I55 may be a spring operated brake on the motor 50 and is desirable as a means of positively locking the barrel E against operation. The operating element of the brake may be electrically energized thereby releasing the brake so that the motor is free to operate.

The forward position I59 or the reverse position I50 of the selector switch conditions the adjusting control which involves a circuit between the selector switch I53 and the reversing switch I50 carried by lines I10 and I12 controlled by switches I55 and I55 respectively. The circuit through line I may be completed when the operator I55 is in position 559 closing switch I55 while the circuit through line I12 may be completed when the operator I55 is in the position I50 closing switch I55 A line I1I connects to lead I42. The line I1I is common to the circuits through the lines I10 and I12 and includes a switch I80 preferably a button type switch to be manually operated. A line I80 connects switch I80 to the circuit controlling operating element I54 of the brake so that when switch I80 is closed the brake is released. Assuming the operator I55 to be either in the position I59 or I60 closing switches I55 or I55 respectively, the motor M can be operated in one direction or the other, dependin upon the selection established by the switch 153 upon the operator completing the circuit by closing switch L80. The adjustment control thus described is, in efiect, a by-pass around the oper ator 'I5I and is operable when all other parts or elements of the system are de-energized by reason of the operator I55 of switch I53 being removed from the on position.

The primary switch I52 is preferably related to or operated by the closures I6 of the wash tank A to "be opened when these closures are opened. The switch I52 may be located at the end of the tank I0 remote from the drive for the barrel and the operating element I52 of switch I52 may be engaged by a part on one closure I6 when that closure is in the closed position so that switch I52 is only closed when that closure is in the closed position. The other closure or the tank is held in the closed position by the closure which operates the switch 152 through interengaging parts I6 on the closures as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. With this arrangement, when the closure that operates switch I52 is in the closed position, it not only closes switch -I52 but holds the other closure in the closed position, and to open the machine the closure controlling switch I52 must be opened and the switch I52 opened before the second closure can be opened.

The master control Q is a means providing for pre-setting of the machine so that it functions in a predetermined manner in response to the master control. The particular master control illustrated in the drawin s, is a switching mechanism characterized by a control drum I driven by a motor I9I and a plurality of followers I92 that bear or track on the drum I90 and control switches so that the switches are operated as the followers drop into apertures or cut-outs I53 provided in the drum. The cut-outs are provided in the drum so that they bear a definite rela-' tionship to each other and are of predetermined extent so that the swtiches of the master control are operated in the desired sequence and remain operated for the desired lengths of time. The particular master control employed in carrying out the present invention may involve the features of construction which are the subject of Patent No. 2,306,056, entitled Control Means For Washing Machines And The Like, issued December 22, 1942 and Patent No. 2,333,248, entitled Control Element, issued November 2, 1943.

As shown in the diagram, Fig. 31, the master control involves a plurality of drum controlled switches including a switch I99 controlling each solenoid I31 for the latches 58 controlling the dump buckets 55, a switch 200 controlling operation of the operating motor 20I included in control X, a switch 202 controlling the motor 203 included in control Y, a switch 204 controlling a motor 205 included in control Z, a switch 205 controlling the circuit to solenoid I34 that controls actuator 16 and a switch 201 controlling the circuit to solenoid I36 that controls actuator 11. The control X may be termed an off and on control for the solenoids I32 and I33 controlling valves 68 and 69, respectively, and it normally operates so that the solenoids I32 and I33 act in synchronism or together so that both are energized or both are de-energized. It is significant,

however that the action of the control X is, in

accordance with my invention, modified by the action of the control Y as will be hereinafter described.

The control X in the form shown in the draw- .trol of the valves 68 and 69.

ings includes the switch 80 which may be termed a. cut-out switch, and means operable to adjust the relationship of switch 80 to the hydraulic actuator 19. In the particular case illustrated the cut-out switch 80 is of conventional construction involving a projecting operating button 208 adapted to be engaged and operated by an element 209 of the hydraulic actuator 19. The element 209 is shown in the form of a push arm having a pivotal mounting 2I0 and operatively coupled with the rocker I22 by a link 2I I. The relationship of parts is such that as the float II1 moves up in the mixing tank the rod I2I moves down actuating the rocker I22 and moving the arm 209 toward the switch 80.

The means provided for shifting the switch 80 relative to the arm 209 involves, generally, a shiftable carriage preferably a pivoted carriage 2I2 on which the switch 80 is fixed with the operating part 208 faced toward the push arm 209. The control X further includes an electric drive which preferably involves the electric motor I preferably a synchronous motor and a drive from the motor to the carriage 2I2. I have shown a gear drive between the motor 20I and the carriage 2 l2 and I have further shown a releasable gear drive enabling the carriage to be released from or freed of the motor.

The particular mechanism illustrated in the drawings involves a pinion 2 l 6 on the motor shaft meshing with a drive gear 2I1 normally engaged with teeth 2IB formed on the carriage 21'2 con centric with the axis thereof. The carriage 2I2 is shown supported by the pivotal mounting 2H1 that carries the arm 209. The drive gear 2I1 is pivotally mounted on a shiftable control arm 220 which arm is preferably pivoted on the shaft of motor 20I and is shiftable to a position where the gear 2I1 is out of engagement with the teeth 2l8. An electro-magnetic control is provided for the arm 220 which control is shown as including a coil or winding 222 in a circuit controlled by the switch 200 of the master control Q.

The control X as hereinabove described is such that its motor 20I is energized through the switch "200 of the master control for a period determined by the master control or by the length of an opening I93 governing the action of switch 200. As the motor 20I operates the switch 80 moves away from arm 209 with the result that the longer the motor 20I operates the farther the arm 209 has to move before it operates the switch 80 to open it. It therefore will be apparent that the length of time that the motor 20I operates determines the quantity of water that will accumulate in the mixing chamber C before the float of means 19 moves up to a position where switch 80 is opened. When switch 80 is opened the circuits to solenoids I32 and I33 are opened and the pilot valves are released with the result that the valves 68 and 69 are closed.

When the switch 205 of the master control is closed the winding 222 of control X is energized operating arm 22!! so that the drive from the motor 20I to the carriage 2I2 is released. When this occurs a spring 230 immediately operates the carriage to its initial or starting position such as is shown in Fig. 19. The spring may be a helical spring having one end fixed at 23I while its other end is attached to a hub 233 on the carriage.

The control Y is, in effect, a thermal control as it determines the temperature of the water delivered to the mixing chamber, and to accom plish this it effects individual operation or con- The control Y is responsive to the master control Q and is, in effect connected between the control X and the hot and cold valves 68 and 69.

The control Y coordinates action of the master control Q with that of a thermal control 250 which is directly responsive to the water being delivered to the mixing chamber. The thermal control 250 may involve a thermally responsive element 25I located to be affected by the temperature of the water passing to the mixing chamber. It is preferred to locate the element 25I in the head 64. The thermal means 250 further includes an operating unit 253 at the unit Y which operating unit involves a case 254 that may be mounted in a fixed position and which carries an actuator 255 that moves in response to operation of the element 25I. A suitable operating connection 256 is provided between the element 25I and the operating unit 253.

The unit Y, as shown in the drawings, involves two cut-out switches 25a and 26I, each connected to solenoid I32 and to solenoid I33. Each cut out switch of control Y is preferably a snap switch and has a fixed contact 262 connected to solenoid I 32 controlling the hot water valve and a fixed contact 263 connected to solenoid I33 controlling the cold water valve.

A connection 264 is provided between the contacts 262 of the two switches and a lead 265 extends from the connection 264 to the solenoid I32. A connection 266 is provided between contacts 263 and a lead 261 extends from connection 266 to solenoid I33. Switch 260 has a movable contact 268 shiftable between contact 262 and contact 263 of switch 260 while switch 26I has a shiftable contact 269 shiftable between contact 262 and 263 of switch 26I. A line 210 leads from control unit X where it is controlled by the switch and connects to the movable contacts of switches 260 and 26I.

The control unit Y further involves operating means for the switches 260 and 26I which operating means is, in accordance with my invention, coordinated with the operator 253 of the thermostatic control responsive to the temperature of water delivered to the mixing chamber. In the particular form of the invention illustrated the switches 260 and 26I are carried by a stationary support 21I and the operating means for the switches involves a lever 213 carried on a pivot pin 212 which lever has an arm 213 for operating the switches and an arm 214 cooperatively related to the part 255 of the actuator 253. The

arm 213 is provided with a tip 215 opposite the shiftable contact 268 of switch 260 and is provided with a tip 216 opposite the shiftable contact 269 of switch 26I. The tips 215 and 216 are adjustable relative to each other. In the case illustrated the tip 215 is fixed on arm 213 while tip 216 is adjustable through a threaded shank 260. The cooperative relationship between the arm 21-4 of the pivoted operating lever and the part 255 is preferably through an adjustable element such as an adjusting screw 28I, the screw being shown carried by the arm 214 so that it normally bears on or abuts the end of part 255.

The operating means of the unit Y, as above described is related to the master control Q and includes adjusting means under control of the master control Q. The particular adjusting means for the operating means of control Y shown in the drawings involves a rotatable cam 285 having a cam face 286 of suitable contour cooperating with a follower 281 on a pivoted carrier 288 which supports the pivotal mounting 212 for the lever 213. The carrier 280 is carried by a pivotal mounting 290 located at or close to the point of cooperative engagement between the adjusting screw 28! and the member 255. A suitable yielding means such as a spring 26i engages the carrier 288 and normally yieldingly holds the follower 28'! in cooperative engagement with the cam face 286. The cam 205 is fixed on a cam shaft 295.

The adjusting means of control Y further In- ,cludes the motor 203 which is preferably a synchronous motor the circuit of which is under control of switch 202 of the master control Q. The motor 203 is operatively coupled to the cam shaft 295. The particular couple or drive shown in the drawings involves a pinion 300 on the shaft 30! of motor 203. The pinion 300 engages and operates a drive gear 302 which has driving engagement with a series of teeth 303 on a segment 304 fixed on the cam shaft 295.

The drive just described is preferably a releasable drive under control of the master control Q. In the particular case illustrated the release of the drive is gained by mounting the drive gear 302 on a pivotally mounted arm 3I0 which arm is under control of a solenoid 3| I. The arm 3I0 is shown pivotally supported by the motor shaft 30! and is normally held down by gravity in a p o where the gear 302 has driving engagement with the segment 304. When the solenoid 3!: is energized as by closing of switch 206 of the control Q' the arm 3I0 is lifted disengaging the gear 302 from the segment 304. Whenever the segment 304 is released it is returned to its normal or unactuated position by a spring 3I2 which may be 5 helical spring having one end fixed to a frame part at 3 I3 while the other end is fixed to hub 3I6 on the segment 304.

With the mechanism just described the length of the cut-out I93 provided in the control cylinder of the master control Q for the control of switch 202 governs the extent that the cam 285 is rotated from its normal unactuated position, as shown in Fig. 25. As the cam 285 is operated from its normal position it depresses the carrier 288 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 25, thus moving the tips of the lever arm 213 away from the movable contacts of the switches 260 and 26!, making it necessary for the actuator 253 of the thermal means to move the lever 213 a greater distance before operating either of the switches than is the case if the cam is unactuated. The cam face 286 is such that the more the cam is rotated from its normal position the greater must be the operation of lever 213 by the actuator 253.

The control Y involves, in addrlition to the cutout switches 260 and 26!, a disconnect switch 3 I 5 and a selector switch 3I6 together with operating means for the switches 3I5 and 3I6. The disconnect switch 3 I 5 is in the line 265 from the switches 260 and 26! to the solenoid I32 controlling the hot water valve 68 so that when switch (H5 is open the hot water valve 68 cannot open. The selector switch 3I6 is a double throw switch in series in the line 210 between switch 80 and the switches 260 and 26 I.

The switch 3 I 6 has two opposed stationary contacts 320 and 32! and a movable contact 322. The contact 320 is connected with line 263 from contacts 263 of switches 260 and 26! by connection 323. Contact 32! is connected with the movable contacts 268 and 269 of the switches 260 and 26! The switch 3I6 is shown in diagram, Fig. 31, in what may be termed an unactuated position where the movable contact 322 connected with switch s engaged with the contact 320 so that a circuit is completed from switch 80 through line 323 to the solenoid I33 controlling cold water valve 63 o that under that condition valve 69 is opened. When switch 3I6 is operated contact 322 engages contact 32! closing the circuit from switch 80 through connection 270' to the movable contacts of switches 260 and 26! so that circuits to the solenoids of the hot and cold water valves are determined by the setting of the switches 260 and 26 I.

The operating means provided for the switches 3I5 and 3I6 may be related to or incorporated in the mechanism of unit Y hereinabove described. In the particular case illustrated the operating means for switches 3 I 5 and 3 I 6 is related to or incorporated with the adjusting means hereinabove described for adjusting the relationship between the thermal actuator 253 and the switches 260 and 26!. The particular mechanism illustrated involves cam parts 330 and 33! on the segment 304 which cam parts are so located on the segment as to engage shiftable elements 332 and 333 of the switches H5 and 3 !6,respectively. The relationship of parts is such that when the segment 304 is in the unactuated position with cam 285 in the unactuated position, switch 3I5 is open, Whereas the contact 322 of switch 3I6 is in engagement with contact 320 of that switch.

Through the switches 3I5 and 3I6 and the setting of these switches and their control through the structure just described, whenever the adjusting mechanism of control Y is unactuated, that is, when segment 304 and cam 205 are in the unactuated position, switch 3 I 5 is open and switch 3I6 is closed only to the solenoid I33 of the cold water valve, so that the cold water valve only may be opened, it being impossible for the hot water valve to then open. The control Y being primarily a thermal control, or at least a thermally responsive control, it becomes effective as a thermal control and responsive to the thermostatic control means 250 whenever and as soon as the adjusting means or the cam 285 has been advanced from its normal position, as by operation of motor 203 through closing of switch 202 of the master control Q. As soon as the adjusting means of the thermal control Y is operated the operating means of switches 3I5 and 3I6 release switches 3I5 and 3I6 through movement of the cam parts 330 and 33! out of engagement with the switch parts 332 and 333. When this occurs switch I5 closes and the contact 22 of switch 3I6 engages contact 32! of switch 3I6, whereupon the circuit to the solenoid I32 controlling the hot water valve 68 is closed through the switches 260 and26! and by reason of the settin of the switches 260 and 26!, as shown in the diagram, Fig. 31, the circuit to the solenoid I33 is open.

It thus follows that immediately that the adjusting means of control Y goes into operation rendering control Y responsive to the thermostatic means 250, hot water only is supplied through the connection leading from the mixer to the mixing chamber. Hot water thus supplied immediately contacts the thermally responsive element 25! of means 250 resulting in operation of the actuating part 255 of the actuator 253 with the result that lever 213 of the operating means for switches 260 and 26! is operated. As the lever 213 is operated under the influence of the thermal actuator 253 one of the tips of lever 213 engages and operatesone of the movable contacts of one of the switches 26!] and 26!. With the setting illustrated in Fig. 26

the tip 215 will first contact and operate the "movable element 269 of switch 26!.

tion 261 to the solenoid !33 controlling the cold water valve 69, thus opening the cold water valve 69 while the hotwater valve 58 is still open.

The amount of cold water thus introduced into the mixer may temper the water issuing from the mixer with the result that the thermall responsive element 25! causes operation of the actuator 253 allowing the valves to remain open. Should the amount of cold water thus admitted when both valves are open be greater than is that corresponding. to the setting-of the adjusting means responsive to switch 202 of the master control Q the part 255 of actuator 253 will withdraw or react and spring 340 will retract the tip 215 from switch 26! a1- lowing switch 25! to operate back to the initial position indicated in the diagram, Fig. 31, whereupon hot water only will again be supplied to the mixer. The adjustment of the control Y as established by the master control Q throughswitch 202 may be such that the hot water valve will remain open while the cold water valve will be intermittently turned on and oiT in the manner just described.

Should the temperature of the water issuing from the mixer after switch 26! has been operated by tip 216 continue to rise, and should it rise beyond a value represented by the adjustment of control Y, as represented by operation effected through closing of switch 2U2,.then the tip 215 of lever arm 213* will engage and operate the element 258 of switch 250 while the element 259 of switch 25! is operated. This results in both switches 26!! and 26! being operated from the position shown in the diagram, Fig. 31, with the result that the circuit to the solenoid !32 controlling the hot water valve is opened through the switches 25!! and 25! while the solenoid !33 controlling the cold water valve is closed through the switches 265 and 26!. Under the last named condition cold water only will enter the mixer and as a result the thermally responsive element25! will cause operation or retraction of the part 255 of actuator 253 to such an extent that the lever arm 213 will retract from the switches 260 and 26! first moving tip 215 away from element 258 of switch 250 establishing the condition where hot and cold water both are admitted to the mixer and if this does not rectify the condition and the temperature is still too cold then the arm 213% may move away from the switches until tip 216 disengages from element 269 of switch 26! under which condition hot water only is supplied to the mixer.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that through the control Y responsive to the master control Q I normally gain cold water only, but as soon as the master control Q operates by closing switch 232 to actuate the adjusting means embodied in control Y, I establish an adjusted condition of control Y which the switchesof control Y respond :to, to the "end that these switches open and closecinre- .spo'nse to or as determined by the setting gained through the adjusting means and the action of the :thermal means, all with the result that the hot and cold water'valves are either opened independently or jointly.

The control Z serves primarily as a control for the pilot valve that controls the action of the pilot H0 that controls the steam valve 12, this control being 'eifected through solenoid I35 and being responsive to an adjustable thermal control. The adjustment of the thermal control is effected through mechanism of the control Z.

The thermal control involves, generally, a thermally responsive element 355 at or in the tank, preferably in the bottom of tank It], as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The thermal control further involves an operating unit 35! in orrelated to the control Z and connected with the responsive element 353 by a suitable connection 352. The thermal actuator 35! operated from the thermal element 35!! through the connection 352 actuates a switch 355 of control Z.

The actuator 35! includes adjuster 356 responsive to the master control Q. By varying the rotative position of adjuster 355 the point or temperature at which the switch 355 is closed may be varied. The control Z is responsive to-the master control Q through switch 204 and involves a motor 255 preferably a synchronous motor. The control Z involves a connect-ion between the motor 205 and the operating unit 35! through which the position or adjustment of theadjuster 356 is governed or set, through operation of motor 235, the motor being responsive to the. control Q through switch 254. The particular mechanism that I have shown in the drawingsinvolves a shaft 360 rotated from the motor 205 and having driving engagement with the adjuster 356. The driving engagement'illustrated in the drawings includes a head 35! on the shaft 35!! which head has a recess 362 receiving a projection 353 on the adjuster establishing driving engagement between the head and the adjuster.

The drive provided between the motor 205 and the shaft 350 is shown asincluding a pinion 366 on the motor shaft .331. The pinion engages and drives a gear .368 which has driving engagement with .a. series of teeth 359 on a segment 31!] fixed on shaft 350. The drive just described is preferably a releasable drive and a spring 31! is provided to normally return the segment to an unactuated position when the drive is released. The spring 310 is shown as a helical spring having one end secured at 312 to a fixed support and having its other end secured at 313 to a hub 314 on the segment 310.

The means provided for releasing the drive above described involves a shiftable arm 380. The arm is preferably pivoted on the motor shaft 351 and an electromagnetic means or solenoid 38! is provided for shifting the arm 380 to move the gear 368 out of engagement with the teeth 369. The solenoid 38! is under control of a switch 201 of the master control Q.

The control Z further includes a safety switch 385 in series with the switch 355 which controls the solenoid I35 operating the pilot valve I!!! controlling the steam valve 12. The safety switch 385 is preferably related to the mechanism above described so that it is open when the mechanism is .unactuated or is in the normal position under influence of spring 31!. In the particular case illustrated the shiftable element 390 of the safety 

